UM kicks off 33rd Portuguese Language Summer Course; Students come from around the globe

The 33^rd Portuguese Language Summer Course, organised by the University of Macau (UM) Department of Portuguese, kicked off yesterday (15 July) in the University Hall. This year’s course attracted nearly 500 students from around the world. Many students who have attended the course before say that they like UM’s Portuguese learning environment so they have decided to take the course again this year to polish their Portuguese skills and make friends with students from different cultural backgrounds. For almost 100 students enrolled in the course, it is the first time that they get to learn Portuguese language and culture.

UM Vice Rector (Global Affairs) Rui Martins, Faculty of Arts and Humanities Dean Hong Gang Jin, Department of Portuguese Head Yao Jingming, and Portuguese Language Summer Course Coordinator Ana Nunes officiated at the opening ceremony to welcome all the students. In her speech, Dean Jin said that UM has been actively promoting Portuguese language and culture to students from different parts of the world and has been using different methods to increase students’ interest in language learning. She also shared different strategies for language learning from a linguistic perspective. Yao said that the programme attracts around 500 applicants globally every year and has gained an increasing popularity. The department will further improve the curriculum with innovative approach to fulfill the demand of various participants. Ana Nunes thanked the students for choosing the course, adding that the department will work hard as always to create a memorable and rich learning experience for participants.

The three-week course, which includes different levels, will be held from 15 July to 2 August. Since its launch, the summer course has played an active role in the promotion of Portuguese language and culture by creating a unique environment to help students learn more about the historical, social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of Macao. Nearly 500 students attended this year’s course. They come from mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Italy, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the United States. They will study with 24 instructors and build friendships with students from different cultural backgrounds.

The course also includes various activities, such as folk dance, choral singing, gym class, and classes in creative writing. Students will have access to the various facilities on campus, including tennis courts, basketball courts, football field, volleyball courts, swimming pool, gym room, and restaurants. They can also participate in cultural activities, including visits to Macao’s museums and historical centre.

Other guests at the opening ceremony were Wong Chang Chi, director of the Language Centre of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Lam Man Tat, head of the Department of the General Affairs of the Higher Education Bureau; Vitória Santos, director of the Department of Marketing and Public Relations of BNU; Chiang Chao Meng, head of the Department of Electronic Services of the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau; Alan Baxter, dean of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Saint Joseph; and Manuel Noronha, associate master of the Moon Chun Memorial College of UM.